Device, a probe and a method for introducing and/or collecting fluids in the inside of an animal uterus

ABSTRACT

The device comprises a tube or catheter ( 1 ) that is introduced into the animal&#39;s vagina up to the cervix duct ( 19 ); a flexible probe ( 6 ) constituted of a first flexible tubular body ( 7 ), to allow that the probe, after reaching the distal end of the tube ( 1 ), may progress through the cervix duct ( 19 ) and thereafter through the cervix horn ( 22 ), this structure allowing to carry out a method of introducing a fluid with spermatozoids, embryos or therapeutic solutions to the anterior third of the uterus horn, or to obtain embryos from the anterior portions of the uterus horn, without needing sedation or anesthesia and without disturbing the animal&#39;s well-being.  
     The device, the probe and the method are essentially applied to porcine livestock, small ruminants and any other animal species.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of applicationPCT/ES00/00423, filed Nov. 3, 2000, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein in its entirety. Priority is hereby claimed under 35USC Section 120.

OBJECT AND TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention refers to a device for introducing and/orcollecting, in non-surgical way, fluids that may contain or not, cellsin the inside of the uterus of a mammal, the device being able topenetrate through the cervix duct (uterus neck) and to reach the uterushorns, in a simple and quick manner without the need of sedation oranesthesia. The invention further refers to a method of using thedevice, and to a probe being useful for the device.

[0003] The invention is preferably applicable in porcine livestock forintroducing a fluid of spermatozoids, embryos or therapeutic solutionsinto the anterior third of a uterus horn near the junction to theovarian canal, or for obtaining embryos from the upper portions of theuterus horn, in a sow in high estrus.

[0004] The invention may also be applied to small ruminants such assheep, goose, and other mammal animal species.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] For carrying out artificial insemination with a low number ofspermatozoids and for performing collection and transfer of embryos, theuse of surgical techniques, such as laparoscopy, has been well known inthe art. These conventional techniques have the inconveniences that theyare traumatically invasive and require a high degree of specializationof the veterinarians or insemination specialists, appropriateinstallations for carrying out the technique, and further imply thepotential risks to the animal that are inherent to any surgicalintervention.

[0006] To avoid these inconveniences, non-surgical systems have beendeveloped. However, these systems have been limited to those species asfor example bovine and equine animals, in view that the use thereof doesnot present difficulties due to the large body volume and anatomicconfiguration of these species. In other species, as for example inporcine animals or in small ruminants, non-surgical systems have onlyhad a minor implementation due to the difficulties encountered inpassing through the cervix duct and reaching deep uterine positions, dueto that in these animal species the cervix duct has a series ofprotuberances that render introduction of a probe considerablydifficult. This circumstance has hindered practical application ofembryo transfer and has limited artificial insemination to thedeposition of semen samples to deep vaginal or to cervix level andalways requiting a high amount of spermatozoids. Practical applicationof other biotechniques such as cryopreservation of sperms, preselectionof the sex by sperm separation, embryo micromanipulation etc. has beenlimited by this circumstance.

[0007] Specifically in the porcine species, attempts have been made todevelop no-surgical rigid systems aimed to pass through the uterus neckand to reach the uterus. Some of these systems comprise a deviceincluding a tube or catheter having a proximal end which includes awidened portion for simplifying handling thereof, and the outer surfaceof the distal end of which includes a spiral portion that permits itsintroduction and fixing of the device within the entry of the cervixduct and to thereby reach the uterus body. Through the inside of thetube, a probe is introduced. Due to the configuration, these knowndevices do normally not penetrate further than into the initial portionof the uterus horns.

[0008] These devices can only be introduced with difficulties/withoutharming the protuberances of the cervix duct. Moreover they mayperforate the wall of the cervix or of the uterus. Such known systemsare described for example in WO-A-9714365, U.S. Pat. No. 5916144 andWO-A-9927868.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] To solve the aforestated inconveniences, the present inventionrefers to a new device and method that allow, without the need ofsedation or anesthesia of the animal, to introduce a fluid withspermatozoids, embryos or therapeutic solutions into the anterior thirdportion of a uterus horn near the junction to the ovarian canal orwhich, according to an embodiment thereof allows to collect embryos fromthe upper portions of the uterus horn.

[0010] For this purpose, the device of the invention, the same as theconventional ones, comprises a tube or catheter having a proximal endwhich includes a widened portion for simplifying handling of the device,and a distal end having an outer surface that includes a spiral portionthat enables introduction and fixing of the tube within the entry of thecervix duct, and a probe slidably housed within the tube.

[0011] In accordance with the invention the probe is comprised of aflexible tubular body comprising a longitudinal chamber, and at leastone flexible duct within the longitudinal chamber in the flexibletubular body, the outside of the flexible tubular body being of aflexible material of plastic or of any other flexible material having anouter surface that allows the probe to slide within the femalereproduction apparatus without causing any harm to the mucous membranes.This structure allows the probe to be inserted through the proximal endof the tube, and to be pushed towards the distal end of the tube sothat, after it has reached said distal end, it emerges therefrom suchthat it first advances through the cervix duct and then enters theuterus horn.

[0012] Another feature of the invention resides in the fact thatconnecting means for connecting a tab having at least one way areprovided at the proximal end of the probe, said connecting means forenabling introduction and/or collection of fluids.

[0013] According to the invention, the probe has a consistency and aresilience being sufficient to allow that, after emerging from thedistal end of the tube, it may progress through the cervix duct andthrough the uterus horn. Thus, in accordance with the invention, theprobe has a relationship resilience (=elasticity)/consistency(=stiffness) such that, a longitudinal section of 5 cm length of theprobe is able to bend 30° to 160°, particularly 100° to 150°, preferably135° to 145° and particularly 140°, and such that a longitudinal sectionof 8 to 10 cm length of the probe resists a load of 1.5 to 4.5 N,particularly of about 3 N, without bending when the load is appliedperpendicularly on the longitudinal section i.e. it has an axialpenetration strength of 15 to 45 N, particularly about 3 N, for alongitudinal section of 10 cm before starting to bend.

[0014] In one embodiment of the probe, the flexible tubular body is madeof a plastic material as for example a polymer or copolymer such asthermoplastic polyolefin, elastomer, propylene copolymers and otherconventional suitable plastic materials which, at the required thicknessof the wall of the flexible tubular body, may comply of theaforementioned relationship resilience/consistency.

[0015] In another embodiment of the probe, the flexible tubular body ismade of a flexible plastic material of the aforementioned type which,however, as such has a higher resilience and/or a lower consistency thanthose of the hereinabove mentioned the relationshipresilience/consistency at the required thickness of the wall of theflexible tubular body, so that the flexible tubular body requiresstiffening by alien elements. For this purpose a plurality of flexiblelongitudinal ribs may be arranged in the longitudinal chamber betweenthe flexible duct and the tubular body, to thereby increase theconsistency and to maintain the required resilience of the probe. In anembodiment of the invention, the longitudinal ribs are comprised ofsteel threads and the longitudinal chamber that includes the steelthreads is tubular.

[0016] In still another embodiment of the probe, the flexible tubularbody is comprised of a helicoidal member such as a spring, made of metalor plastic, the outside of which is covered by a layer of flexibleplastic material that allows the probe to slide within the femalereproduction apparatus without causing any harm to the mucous membranesof the uterus duct and of the uterus horns.

[0017] In still a further embodiment of the probe, the flexible tubularbody is comprised of a tubular member of a material such as a plastic ormetal, the outer surface of which, as such is insufficiently smooth forsliding within the female reproduction apparatus, and the outside ofwhich is covered by a layer of flexible plastic material that allows theprobe to slide within the female reproduction apparatus without causingany harm to the mucous membranes of the uterus duct and of the uterushorns.

[0018] The distal end of the probe comprises a piece that adapts to theinner space of the flexible tubular body, the piece including an openingthat is arranged in axial continuation of the flexible duct forestablishing an inlet and/or outlet for the fluids. So as to avoid harmto the mucous membranes, the end of said piece must be smooth and stump.

[0019] The coupling means for coupling the tab to proximal end of theprobe may be comprised of a piece that, at one end is adapted to theinner space of the flexible tubular body and the flexible duct and, atthe other end, is adapted to the tab, so as to allowintroduction-extraction of fluids.

[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the probe has two flexible,preferably concentric ducts, one of which, preferably the outer one andin proximity to the distal end of the probe, communicates with anelastic small external coating so that, once the probe has been placedin the uterus horn, the elastic small external coating can be inflatedwith air through the outer flexible duct so that it swells in aballoon-like manner and thus adapts itself to the wall of the uterushorn thereby preventing a possible reflux through the uterus horn ofliquids that have been introduced into the uterus horn, whenintrauterine fluids containing embryos are suctioned.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible ductcommunicating with the flexible small external coating, is thelongitudinal chamber that includes the longitudinal flexible ribsbetween which passage of the air towards the flexible small externalcoating is allowed.

[0022] The invention also refers to a method for non-surgicalintroduction of fluids containing spermatozoids, embryos or therapeuticsolutions into the anterior third of a uterus horn or for collectingembryos from the anterior third of the uterus horn of a female mammal byusing the afore described device, without the need of sedating theanimal and without disturbing its well-being, the method comprising

[0023] introducing the tube into the inside of the vagina up to theentry of the cervix duct at which point the tube is rotated in acounterclockwise sense, for producing its advance within the cervix ductof the female animal such that it becomes firmly fixed within the wallsthereof,

[0024] once fixing has been achieved, inserting the distal end of theflexible probe by the proximal end of the tube until reaching theanterior end of the tube that is anchored in the inside of the of thecervix duct,

[0025] slightly rotating the tube to the left and right, andsimultaneously pushing the flexible probe until it bypasses the firstprotuberance of the cervix cavity,

[0026] further pushing the flexible probe thereby noting that theflexible probe first advances with some difficulty by the variousprotuberances of the cervix duct until reaching the uterus body,whereby, once the cervix duct has been overcome, the resistance offeredby the protuberances ceases, and the flexible probe advances withoutdifficulty until reaching the upper portions of a uterus horn, and,

[0027] once the flexible probe has been introduced into its finalposition within the uterus horn, injecting or absorbing fluids into orfrom the uterine environment through the flexible duct by means of asyringe or a similar device coupled to the tab.

[0028] In the case that embryos are to be extracted from the uterus, themethod further comprises a subsequent step to introducing the probe intothe uterus horn, in which step the elastic small external coating isinflated, whereby the coating adapts itself to the inner space of theuterus horn, and thereafter embryos are suctioned from the anteriorportion of the uterus horn.

[0029] Thus, the device and method of the invention do not requiresedation nor anesthesia of the animal as for example a sow. Furthermore,it does not cause any harm to the well-being of the animal, as it doesnot use any rigid instrument that might harm and/or perforate the wallsof the cervix duct, due to that the flexible probe presents a suitableequilibrium between consistency and resilience for passing the cervixduct and reaching the anterior third of a uterus horn without producingapparent damages.

[0030] Additionally, the invention has the great advantage that completeintroduction of the flexible probe may be achieved in a minimum time(approximately 3 or 4 minutes) and it allows to work with reducedvolumes of semen, embryos or therapeutic solutions, at the same timethat it is multifunctional in view that it enables introduction ofspermatozoids, embryos and therapeutic solutions deep into the uterus,as well as collection of embryos from the anterior portions of theuterus horn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Hereafter, to facilitate a better understanding of the presentdescription and being an integral part thereof, there is accompanied aseries of figures in which the subject matter of the invention isrepresented in an illustrative and non-limiting way.

[0032]FIG. 1 is a raised side view of the device of the invention inwhich the probe is inside the tube or catheter, and wherein differentsections have been made so as to show the various components thatconstitute the probe.

[0033]FIG. 2 shows detail A of the preceding figure.

[0034]FIG. 3 shows detail B of FIG. 1.

[0035]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the device of theinvention in an operating situation within the uterus of a sow.

[0036]FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an example of anembodiment of the flexible probe of the invention used for obtainingembryos from the anterior third of a uterus horn, this figure alsoshowing details of the distal end of the probe.

[0037]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view at line I-I in FIG. 1 of thedevice comprising a probe in accordance with the first embodiment of theprobe shown in FIG. 2.

[0038]FIG. 7 is a sectional view at the line II-II in FIG. 6.

[0039]FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view at line I-I in FIG. 1 of thedevice comprising a probe in accordance with a second embodiment.

[0040]FIG. 9 is a sectional view at line III-III in FIG. 8.

[0041]FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view at line I-I in FIG. 1 of thedevice comprising a probe in accordance with a third embodiment.

[0042]FIG. 11 is a sectional view at line IV-IV in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] A description of the invention will be made on the grounds of thepreviously mentioned figures. In the figures, there are referencenumerals having the following meanings:

[0044]1 tube

[0045]2 smooth section

[0046]3 spiral portion

[0047]4 widened portion

[0048]5 axial channel

[0049]6 probe

[0050]7 flexible tubular body (first embodiment)

[0051]7 a outer surface of flexible tubular body

[0052]7′ flexible tubular body (second embodiment)

[0053]7″ flexible tubular body (third embodiment)

[0054]8 flexible layer

[0055]9 longitudinal chamber

[0056]10 proximal end of the probe

[0057]11 distal end of the probe

[0058]12 flexible duct

[0059]13 steel threads

[0060]14 device at the proximal end of the probe

[0061]15 device at the distal end of the probe

[0062]16 proximal end portion of device 15

[0063]17 distal end portion of device 15

[0064]18 distal end of cervix duct

[0065]19 cervix duct

[0066]20 protuberances on cervix duct walls

[0067]21 uterus body

[0068]22 uterine horn

[0069]23 spirals of uterus horn

[0070]24 flexible probe (fourth embodiment)

[0071]25 proximal end of probe 24

[0072]26 device at distal end of probe 24

[0073]27 flexible duct

[0074]28 inflatable elastic external coating

[0075]29 additional flexible duct

[0076]30 tip of flexible probe 24

[0077]31 openings in the additional flexible duct 29

[0078]32 tab

[0079]33 first way of tab 32

[0080]34 second way of tab 32

[0081]35 syringe

[0082] In accordance with the invention shown in FIG. 1 the devicecomprises a tube 1 which includes a spiral 3 portion at the outersurface of its distal end the spiral portion 3 for facilitatinginsertion and fixing of the tube 1 in the cervix duct 19 , and theproximal end of which includes a widened portion 4 for facilitatinghandling of the tube 1. Between the ends of the tube 1, there isprovided a tubular smooth section 2.

[0083] Internally, the tube comprises an axial channel 5 thatcommunicates both ends of the tube 1 and that has a sufficiently widediameter as to allow passage of a flexible probe 6 without anydifficulty. Each of the ends of the tube may be made of a single pieceof rubber or plastic, or it may be constituted by a molded plastic part,taking into account that the distal end must be smooth so as to avoiddamages to the animal when the distal end is introduced into the cervixduct.

[0084] The first embodiment of the flexible probe 6 shown in FIG. 2, 6and 7, comprises a flexible tubular body 7 of plastic. The externalsurface of the flexible tubular body 7 is covered by a flexible layer 8of plastic or of any other flexible material that allows sliding of theprobe through the female reproduction apparatus without causing anydamage to the mucous membranes thereof.

[0085] In the second embodiment of the flexible probe 6 shown in FIGS. 8and 9, the flexible tubular body 7′ is made of a plastic material havingan outer surface that allows sliding of the probe through the femalereproduction apparatus without causing any damage to the mucousmembranes.

[0086] The third embodiment of the probe 6 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,comprises a flexible tubular body 7″ made of an helicoidal member theoutside of which is covered by a layer 8 having the same characteristicsin respect of its outer surface as the layer described hereinbefore withreference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0087] In any of the afore described embodiments of the probe 6, in theinside of the flexible tubular body 7, a flexible duct 12 of silicone oranother similar material is provided, whereby a longitudinal chamber 9extending from the proximal end 10 to the distal end 11 is formedbetween said flexible duct 12 and the flexible tubular body 7.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of steel threads 13 is axiallyarranged inside the longitudinal chamber 9, the steel threads beingintended to increase the consistency of the probe.

[0089] The proximal end 10 of the probe 6 is formed of a device 14 ofplastic or of another material, that enables coupling with the flexibletubular body 7 and with the flexible duct 12 by one of its ends, and byits other end enables coupling, as shown in FIG. 5, with a tab 32 of oneor two ways 33,34.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end 11 of the probe 6 is formed ofa device 15 of methacrylate, plastic, metal or any other material. Thedevice 15 is inserted into the inner space of the flexible tubular body7 by its proximal end portion 16, whilst its distal end portion 17communicates with the outside through a hole that constitutes the fluidinlet and/or outlet that is a continuation of said flexible duct 12.Said distal end 17 must be smooth and stump to avoid harms to theanimal's mucous membranes.

[0091] To prevent contaminations, the device of the invention may besuitably sterilized and packaged in hermetically sealed bags.

[0092] In the following, the method of using the device as hereinabovedescribed with reference to FIG. 1 for profound intrauterineinsemination of a sow with a low amount of spermatozoids will bedescribed with further reference to FIG. 4.

[0093] The method of the invention comprises introducing the tube 1 upto the inside of the cervix duct of the sow in high estrus which mayhave superovulated or not. For this purpose, a non-toxic lubricantliquid is applied onto the tube 1 so as to facilitate passage thereofthrough the vagina. The tube 1 is inserted by introducing its distal end(area of the spiral portion 3) into and through the sow's vagina untilreaching the distal end 18 of the cervix duct 19. In that moment, thetube 1 is rotated in a counterclockwise sense whereby the spiral portion3 advances within the female animal's cervix duct 19 and becomes fixedbetween the walls of the cervix duct. As shown in FIG. 4, the walls ofthe cervix duct are formed of thick rounded protuberances 20. In thissituation, as the tube 1 is held from the outside, the uterus neck isfirmly held so as to prevent ruptures thereof. Once firm holding of theuterus neck has been established, the distal end 11 of the flexibleprobe 6 is introduced through the proximal end of the tube 1 and pusheduntil it reaches the distal end of the tube in the inside of the cervixduct 19. At this position, it can be noted that the flexible probe 6does not progress anymore. In this moment, the tube 1 is slightlyrotated to the left and right, and the flexible probe 6 issimultaneously pushed further until it overcomes the first protuberance20 of the cervix duct 19. Subsequently, the flexible probe 6 is stillfurther pushed whereby it can be noticed how the probe 6 surpasses,overcoming some resistance, the various protuberances 20 of the cervixduct 19 until reaching the uterus body 21. Once the cervix duct 19 hasbeen trespassed, the resistance offered by the cervix protuberances 20ceases and the flexible probe 6 advances smoothly, without anydifficulty, until reaching the anterior portion of a uterus horn 22.When the flexible probe 6 advances within the uterus horn 22 it bendsand thus follows the spiral path 23 of the uterus horn 22. Although itis not absolutely necessary, introduction of small volumes of diluentthrough the flexible duct 12 will facilitate progression of the flexibleprobe 6 at its passage through the cervix duct 19 and its progressionthrough the uterus horn 22. Once the flexible probe 6 has beenintroduced up to its final position within the uterine horn 22, thesemen contained in a syringe 35 (cf. FIG. 5) being connected to theproximal end 10 of the flexible probe 6, is introduced through theflexible duct 12 of the flexible probe 6 until it becomes releasedwithin the uterine environment. So as to avoid losses of spermatozoidsand securing that the semen sample has been completely evacuated fromthe flexible duct 12, a small volume of diluent is subsequentlyintroduced through the flexible duct 12. Thereafter, the flexible probe6 which is extracted without any difficulty, is withdrawn and the tube 1is withdrawn for which this latter must be rotated in a clockwise sense.

[0094] This process may also be used for transferring embryos into auterus horn.

[0095] Basically the same device and method may be used for obtainingembryos from the inside of a uterus horn for which purpose a flexibleprobe 24 as represented in FIG. 5 has been provided. The flexible probe24 shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the flexible probe 6 described hereinwith reference to FIGS. 2 and 6-11 with the difference that probe 24 hastwo flexible, concentrically arranged ducts 27 and 29 in its inside,whereby, in the proximity of the distal end 25 of the probe 24, there isa device 25 comprising an elastic small outer coating 28 of latex orsilicone communicating with the flexible duct 27 through a hole 31. Inthis case, the proximal ends of the flexible ducts 27,29 are connectedto a two-way tab 32 comprising a first way 33 connected to the flexibleduct 29 and a second way 34 connected to the flexible duct 27, so thatthe previously described methodology is also completely valid in thiscase, with the only difference that once the flexible probe 24 has beenintroduced into the anterior third of a uterus horn, the elastic outercoating 28, is filled with air by means of a syringe 35 connected to theflexible duct 27 so that inflation thereof is produced whereby itcompletely adapts itself to the uterus wall so as to avoid anypossibility of a reflux. Thereafter, the embryo culturing medium isintroduced through the flexible duct 29, so as to fill the portioncomprised between the tip 30 (equivalent to device 15 shown in FIG. 3)of the flexible probe 24 and the junction to the ovarian canal, a placewhere embryos should be found after 4 to 5 days after insemination ofthe female animal, with liquid. Afterwards, through the same workingchannel 29, a suction is applied to recover the liquid that has beenintroduced and which contains the embryos. This process is repeateduntil it has been possible to obtain the embryos.

[0096] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible tube 27is established by the chamber 9 in which the steel threads 13 areincluded, in which case the air circulates between said steel threads.Thereby, the structure of the probe is simplified.

1. A device for introducing and/or collecting fluids in the inside ofthe uterus of an animal, the device for being introduced through avagina, an entry of a cervix duct, and the cervix duct into a uterushorn of a uterus body, and comprising a tube having a proximal end and adistal end, and a probe axially and slidably extending through the tube,wherein the probe has a proximal end and a distal end, and comprises aflexible tubular body, at least one flexible duct having an inner spaceand housed inside the flexible tubular body, the flexible duct extendingthrough a longitudinal chamber within the flexible duct, and an outersmooth surface, the probe having an equilibrium between consistency andresilience such that, when being pushed after emerging from the distalend of the tube, the distal end of the flexible probe advances firstthrough the cervix duct and thereafter through the uterus horn.
 2. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein the probe comprises coupling meansfor coupling a tab of at least one way, the coupling means beingprovided at the proximal end of the probe for at least one ofintroducing and collecting fluids.
 3. A device according to claim 1,wherein the proximal end of the tube comprises a widened portion tofacilitate handling of the device.
 4. A device according to claim 1,wherein the distal end of the tube has an external surface comprising aspiral portion that facilitates introduction and fixing of the tube inthe entry of the cervix duct.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein,between the flexible duct and the flexible tubular body of the probe, aplurality of flexible longitudinal ribs is arranged for increasingconsistency and maintaining flexibility of the probe.
 6. A deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the flexible longitudinal ribs are steelthreads.
 7. A device according to claim 5, wherein the longitudinalchamber is tubular.
 8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the distalend of the probe comprises a distal piece that adapted to the innerspace of the flexible tubular body and to the flexible duct, the distalpiece including an opening being located as a continuation of theflexible duct for establishing at least one of an inlet and an outletfor the fluid.
 9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the couplingmeans for the tab is a proximal piece connected to the inner space ofthe flexible tubular body and to the flexible duct ,as well as to thetab.
 10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the probe comprises anadditional flexible duct within the probe, an elastic small externalcoating provided on the outside of the probe at a portion near saiddistal end of the probe, and a communication between the additionalflexible duct and said outside of the probe, provided in said area nearto the distal end of the probe, said external coating and saidcommunication being arranged such that, when the distal end of theflexible probe has been placed in a final position in the uterus hornand air is injected from said additional flexible duct through saidcommunication, said external coating swells balloon-like for adaptingitself to wall portions of the uterus horn thereby avoiding refluxes ofliquids that have been introduced in said uterus horn when intrauterinefluids are being suctioned through said flexible duct.
 11. A deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein the flexible duct and the additionalflexible duct are concentric, and said flexible duct extends within saidadditional flexible duct.
 12. A device according to claim 1, furthercomprising an elastic small external coating provided on the outside ofthe probe at a portion near said distal end of the probe, and acommunication between the longitudinal chamber and said outside of theprobe, provided in said area near to the distal end of the probe, saidexternal coating and said communication being arranged such that, whenthe distal end of the flexible probe has been placed in a final positionin the uterus horn and air is injected from said longitudinal chamberthrough said communication, said external coating swells balloon-likefor adapting itself to wall portions of the uterus horn thereby avoidingrefluxes of liquids that have been introduced in said uterus horn whenintrauterine fluids are being suctioned through said flexible duct. 13.A method for introducing and/or collecting fluids in the inside of theuterus of an animal, the device for being introduced through a vagina,an entry of a cervix duct, and the cervix duct into a uterus horn of auterus body, and comprising a tube having a proximal end and a distalend, and a probe axially and slidably extending through the tube,wherein the probe has a proximal end and a distal end, and comprises aflexible tubular body, at least one flexible duct having an inner spaceand housed inside the flexible tubular body, the flexible duct extendingthrough a longitudinal chamber within the flexible duct, and an outsidesurface, the probe having an equilibrium between consistency andresilience such that, when being pushed after emerging from the distalend of the tube, the distal end of the probe advances first through thecervix duct and thereafter through the uterus horn; the methodcomprising a first step of introducing the tube through the vagina untilreaching the cervix duct, a second step of rotating the tube is rotatedcounterclockwise making the tube advance and become anchored within thecervix duct, whereby a firm holding of the cervix duct by the tube beingproduced, a third step comprising introducing, by the proximal end ofthe tube, the distal end of the flexible probe (6) until the distal endof the flexible probe reaches the distal end of the tube and thenslightly rotating the tube to the left and to the right as well assimultaneously pushing the flexible probe until a first protuberance ofthe cervix duct is surpassed, a fourth step of further pushing theflexible probe until the distal end of the flexible probe surpassesprotuberances of the cervix duct until reaching the uterus body, a fifthstep of further pushing the flexible probe through the uterus horn untilthe distal end of the probe reaches an upper portion of uterus horn, anda sixth step of injecting the fluid through into said upper portion ofthe uterus horn.
 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the probecomprises coupling means for coupling a tab of at least one way, thecoupling means being provided at the proximal end of the probe for atleast one of introducing and collecting fluids.
 15. A method accordingto claim 13, wherein the proximal end of the tube comprises a widenedportion to facilitate handling of the device.
 16. A method according toclaim 13, wherein the distal end of the tube has an external surfacecomprising a spiral portion that facilitates introduction and fixing ofthe tube in the entry of the cervix duct.
 17. A method according toclaim 13, wherein the device further comprises an elastic small externalcoating provided on the outside of the probe at a portion near saiddistal end of the probe, and a communication between the longitudinalchamber and said outside of the probe, provided in said area near to thedistal end of the probe, said external coating and said communicationbeing arranged such that, when the probe has been placed the upperportion of the uterus horn in the fifth step, the method comprises afirst additional step of injecting air from said longitudinal chamberthrough said communication such that said external coating swellsballoon-like for adapting itself to wall portions of the uterus hornthereby avoiding refluxes of liquids being introduced in said uterushorn when intrauterine fluids are being suctioned through said flexibleduct.
 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the intrauterinefluids contain embryos, said liquids being suctioned from an anteriorthird of the uterus body.
 19. A method according to claim 13, whereinthe device further comprises an additional flexible duct within theprobe an elastic small external coating provided on the outside of theprobe at a portion near said distal end of the probe, and acommunication between the additional flexible duct and said outside ofthe probe, provided in said area near to the distal end of the probe,said external coating and said communication being arranged such that,when the distal end of the flexible probe has been placed in the upperportion of the uterus horn in the fifth step, the method comprises afirst additional step of injecting air from said additional flexibleduct through said communication such that said external coating swellsballoon-like for adapting itself to wall portions of the uterus hornthereby avoiding refluxes of liquids being introduced in said uterushorn when intrauterine fluids are being suctioned through said flexibleduct.
 20. A method according to claim 16, wherein the intrauterinefluids contain embryos, said liquids being suctioned from an anteriorthird of the uterus body.
 21. A device according to claim 1, wherein theprobe has a resilience such that, a longitudinal section of 5 cm lengthof the probe is able to bend 30° to 160°, and a consistency such that alongitudinal section of 8 to 10 cm length of the probe resists a load of1.5 to 4.5 N without bending when the load is applied perpendicularly onthe longitudinal section.
 22. A device according to claim 1, wherein theprobe has a resilience such that, a longitudinal section of 5 cm lengthof the probe is able to bend 100° to 150, and a consistency such that alongitudinal section of 8 to 10 cm length of the probe resists a load of1.5 to 4.5 N without bending when the load is applied perpendicularly onthe longitudinal section.
 23. A device according to claim 1, wherein theprobe has a resilience such that, a longitudinal section of 5 cm lengthof the probe is able to bend 135° to 145°, and a consistency such that alongitudinal section of 8 to 10 cm length of the probe resists a load of1.5 to 4.5 N without bending when the load is applied perpendicularly onthe longitudinal section.
 24. A device according to claim 1, wherein theflexible tubular body is a longitudinal helicoidal member and the outersurface of the probe is made of a layer of flexible material.
 25. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein the flexible tubular body is madeof a first flexible material and the outer surface of the probe is madeof a layer of a second flexible material.
 26. A device according toclaim 1, wherein the surface of the probe is the surface of the flexibletubular body.
 27. A method according to claim 13, wherein the probe hasa resilience such that, a longitudinal section of 5 cm length of theprobe is able to bend 30° to 160°, and a consistency such that alongitudinal section of 8 to 10 cm length of the probe resists a load of1.5 to 4.5 N without bending when the load is applied perpendicularly onthe longitudinal section.
 28. A method according to claim 13, whereinthe probe has a resilience such that, a longitudinal section of 5 cmlength of the probe is able to bend 100° to 150, and a consistency suchthat a longitudinal section of 8 to 10 cm length of the probe resists aload of 1.5 to 4.5 N without bending when the load is appliedperpendicularly on the longitudinal section.
 29. A method according toclaim 13, wherein the probe has a resilience such that, a longitudinalsection of 5 cm length of the probe is able to bend 135° to 145°, and aconsistency such that a longitudinal section of 8 to 10 cm length of theprobe resists a load of 1.5 to 4.5 N without bending when the load isapplied perpendicularly on the longitudinal section.
 30. A methodaccording to claim 13, wherein the flexible tubular body is alongitudinal helicoidal member and the outer surface of the probe ismade of a layer of flexible material.
 31. A method according to claim13, wherein the flexible tubular body is made of a first flexiblematerial and the outer surface of the probe is made of a layer of asecond flexible material.
 32. A method according to claim 13, whereinthe surface of the probe is the surface of the flexible tubular body.33. A probe for introducing and/or collecting fluids in the inside ofthe uterus of an animal, the probe for being introduced through avagina, an entry of a cervix duct, and the cervix duct into a uterushorn of a uterus body, the probe having a proximal end and a distal end,and comprising a flexible tubular body, at least one flexible ducthaving an inner space and housed inside the flexible tubular body, theflexible duct extending through a longitudinal chamber within theflexible duct, and an outside surface, the probe having an equilibriumbetween consistency and resilience such that its distal end of theflexible probe is capable of advancing first through the cervix duct andthereafter through the uterus horn.
 34. A probe according to claim 33,wherein the probe has a resilience such that, a longitudinal section of5 cm length of the probe is able to bend 30° to 160°, and a consistencysuch that a longitudinal section of 8 to 10 cm length of the proberesists a load of 1.5 to 4.5 N without bending when the load is appliedperpendicularly on the longitudinal section.
 35. A probe according toclaim 33, wherein the probe has a resilience such that, a longitudinalsection of 5 cm length of the probe is able to bend 100° to 150, and aconsistency such that a longitudinal section of 8 to 10 cm length of theprobe resists a load of 1.5 to 4.5 N without bending when the load isapplied perpendicularly on the longitudinal section.
 36. A probeaccording to claim 33, wherein the probe has a resilience such that, alongitudinal section of 5 cm length of the probe is able to bend 135° to145°, and a consistency such that a longitudinal section of 8 to 10 cmlength of the probe resists a load of 1.5 to 4.5 N without bending whenthe load is applied perpendicularly on the longitudinal section.
 37. Aprobe according to claim 33, wherein, between the flexible duct and theflexible tubular body of the probe, a plurality of flexible longitudinalribs is arranged for increasing consistency and maintaining flexibilityof the probe.
 38. A probe according to claim 33, wherein the flexiblelongitudinal ribs are steel threads.
 39. A probe according to claim 33,wherein the longitudinal chamber is tubular.
 40. A probe according toclaim 33, wherein the distal end of the probe comprises a distal piecethat adapted to the inner space of the flexible tubular body and to theflexible duct, the distal piece including an opening being located as acontinuation of the flexible duct for establishing at least one of aninlet and an outlet for the fluid.
 41. A probe according to claim 33,further comprising coupling means for coupling a tab of at least oneway, the coupling means being provided at the proximal end of the probefor at least one of introducing and collecting fluids.
 42. A probeaccording to claim 33, wherein the coupling means for the tab is aproximal piece connected to the inner space of the flexible tubular bodyand to the flexible duct ,as well as to the tab.
 43. A probe accordingto claim 33, wherein the probe comprises an additional flexible ductwithin the probe, an elastic small external coating provided on theoutside of the probe at a portion near said distal end of the probe, anda communication between the additional flexible duct and said outside ofthe probe, provided in said area near to the distal end of the probe,said external coating and said communication being arranged such that,when the distal end of the flexible probe has been placed in a finalposition in the uterus hornand air is injected from said additionalflexible duct through said communication, said external coating swellsballoon-like for adapting itself to wall portions of the uterus hornthereby avoiding refluxes of liquids that have been introduced in saiduterus horn when intrauterine fluids are being suctioned through saidflexible duct.
 44. A probe according to claim 43, wherein the flexibleduct and the additional flexible duct are concentric, and said flexibleduct extends within said additional flexible duct.
 45. A probe accordingto claim 43, further comprising an elastic small external coatingprovided on the outside of the probe at a portion near said distal endof the probe, and a communication between the longitudinal chamber andsaid outside of the probe, provided in said area near to the distal endof the probe, said external coating and said communication beingarranged such that, when the distal end of the flexible probe has beenplaced in a final position in the uterus horn and air is injected fromsaid longitudinal chamber through said communication, said externalcoating swells balloon-like for adapting itself to wall portions of theuterus horn thereby avoiding refluxes of liquids that have beenintroduced in said uterus horn when intrauterine fluids are beingsuctioned through said flexible duct.
 46. A probe according to claim 33,wherein the probe comprises coupling means for coupling a tab of atleast one way, the coupling means being provided at the proximal end ofthe probe for at least one of introducing and collecting fluids.